Anchorage Memorial Park, United States historic place
Anchorage Memorial Park is a large cemetery in Anchorage, Alaska that spans nine city blocks and includes several distinct burial sections. The grounds hold thousands of gravestones and monuments of varying styles, from simple stones to more elaborate memorials, with maintained lawns, trees, and wide paths for walking.
The cemetery was founded in 1915 and was one of the first public spaces set aside in Anchorage as part of President Woodrow Wilson's town plan. More than 12,500 people have been buried here since its opening, and in 1993 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance as a key part of the city's past.
The cemetery holds names of families who shaped the city and shows how different communities have gathered here to honor their dead. Visitors bring flowers to graves and gather on days like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, making it a place where local traditions of remembrance come together.
The cemetery is open to the public at no charge and features maintained paths with benches for sitting and reflection. An online database with a map helps visitors find specific graves and learn about the people buried there.
One gravestone displays an unusual error: Johanna Taft's name is misspelled, and a later marker corrects this silent reminder of the past. Walter Hickel's grave is remarkable because he was buried standing up facing east, toward Washington, D.C., to symbolize his dedication to the nation.
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